Eagle's syndrome veiling as pain of odontogenic origin: Report of two cases with cone beam computed tomography illustration

Eagle and Ernest syndromes: a scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Ossification disorders can affect the stylohyoid ligament as well the stylomandibular ligament. The symptomathology between those syndromes and other pathologies it has been a problem because there is not a guideline.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

With the aim to establish prevalence, diagnosis and etiopathogenesis of Eagle and Ernest syndromes, a scoping review was performed base on PRISMA criteria.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

To review stylohyoid ligament and Eagle Syndrome 93 articles were selected. Three articles regarding the stylomandibular ligament and Ernest Syndrome were founded and selected.

CONCLUSIONS

Both syndromes should be clinically diagnosed and corroborate with imaging (2D or 3D), although imaging in Ernest Syndrome is not clear as well in Eagle Syndrome. A decisional algorithm for diagnosis of Eagle Syndrome and Ernest Syndrome is presented.

Styloid process elongation in a sample of Lebanese population: a consideration for the prevention of Eagle syndrome

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and patterns of styloid process elongation in a general Lebanese population sample.

METHODS

Digital panoramic radiographs of 489 Lebanese adults (218 males and 271 females, mean age of 47.56 ± 16.149) were included in this retrospective study. First, we screened for detection of elongated styloid process, then we analyzed these cases and classified the elongation types. Data obtained were transformed into SPSS v24 and descriptive and inferential analyses were done.

RESULTS

In our sample, elongated styloid process was seen in 76 cases (15.5%) (45/271 women and 31/218 men). Despite no significant gender predisposition, females were slightly more affected than males (59.2% females to 40.8% males). As for the age, elongation was significantly more likely to be present at 45-64 years of age. The right side was slightly more affected than the left side (86.8% vs. 76.3% respectively), with type 1 elongation as the most common. Nevertheless, bilateral elongation was much more common than unilateral elongation (63.2%).Interestingly, females were more likely to suffer from bilateral elongation (64.58%) compared to men (35.41%).

CONCLUSION

Elongated styloid process represents a common finding detected fortuitously on panoramic radiographs. Therefore, being a main feature in Eagle syndrome, dentists should be aware of this clinical entity and actively screen for it.

Eagle's syndrome: a case report and CT pictorial review

Eagle's syndrome (ES) refers to symptomatic elongation of the ossified styloid process. A styloid process greater than 2.5 cm in length should be considered abnormal; however, an elongated styloid process is not sufficient for a diagnosis of ES; only an abnormal styloid process in association with symptoms can confirm the syndrome. In this case report, we discuss a 54-year-old man who has come to our attention with various symptoms: dysphagia to both solids and liquids, difficulty swallowing, neck pain, and a foreign body sensation during bilateral neck rotation and mouth opening. The diagnosis is performed radiologically because conventional radiographs have many potential disadvantages, whereas, computed tomography (CT) scans and reconstructions allow the length and angulation of the styloid process to be measured and the relationship between the elongated styloid processes and adjacent anatomical structures to be evaluated. Moreover, CT allows for differential diagnosis and provides detailed information needed for surgical planning.

A Case of a Very Elongated Styloid Process

Eagle syndrome is characterized by recurrent pain in the oropharynx and face due to an elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament. In this article, we experienced a case of an elongated styloid process which is very rare in size and detailed treatment process. The patient was a 53-year-old Chinese woman with a chief complaint of frequent episodes of radiating pain in left preauricular region for 2 years. An intraoral approach was chosen to shorten part of her styloid process, and the chief complaint disappeared immediately after the operation.